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Qatar Press Center Condemns Targeting of Journalists in Sudan

The Qatar Press Center condemns the killing of three members of Sudan TV’s government team—a director, a cameraman, and a driver—as well as a captain from military media, due to a drone strike carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the Republican Palace in the capital, Khartoum.

The center renews its call for all parties in Sudan to ensure the safety of journalists while carrying out their duties and to refrain from targeting them for their work.

The center warned against the continued violations of journalists' rights and their targeting in an attempt to silence, intimidate, and terrorize them, preventing the reporting of the truth about what is happening in Sudan.

The center calls for the protection of journalists and media personnel in accordance with international laws. It also urges relevant international organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists, the African Federation of Journalists, the Arab Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the International Press Institute, and allied journalist unions, to collaborate in ensuring the safety of journalists in Sudan, securing the release of detained journalists covering the conflict, and taking legal action against those responsible for violations against the press.

Sudanese Minister of Information Khalid Al-Eisair mourned the journalists and technicians from the Sudan TV team, stating: “National Television producer and director Farouq Ahmed Mohamed Al-Zahir, TV cameraman Magdy Abdelrahman Fakhr Al-Din, and driver Waji Jaafar Mohamed Onur were martyred while performing their duty, covering the battle to retake the Republican Palace.”

Two war correspondents were also killed in the drone strike while covering the celebration of the palace’s recapture after days of intense fighting in central Khartoum.

Additionally, the Sudan News Agency mourned the deaths of the Sudan TV media team, who were killed while covering the battle to reclaim the Republican Palace.

23 Journalists Killed

Around 23 journalists—including three media support staff—have been killed in Sudan since the war began on April 15, 2023, according to Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate President Abdulmonem Abu Idris.

A report by the syndicate indicates that 2024 has seen a dramatic rise in journalist fatalities, with 16 journalists killed—a 300% increase from the previous year.

The syndicate documented 110 violations against journalists in 2024 alone, noting that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual cases, as many incidents remain unreported, and numerous voices are still silenced.

According to the syndicate, a total of 509 documented violations have been recorded against journalists and media outlets since the outbreak of the conflict.

More than 60 Sudanese female journalists are currently trapped and facing direct threats due to armed clashes in Khartoum, Al-Jazira, and Darfur, based on November 2023 statistics.

The syndicate expressed deep concern over the growing culture of impunity in Sudan, particularly regarding crimes against journalists.

Tragic Conditions

The war has devastated media institutions and infrastructure, leading to the complete shutdown of print newspapers for the first time in over 120 years, leaving 90% of media workers unemployed. Even Radio Omdurman, Sudan’s national broadcaster since 1940, went silent before recently resuming broadcasts.

Journalists in Sudan face severe disruptions in communication and internet services, which are often blocked in conflict zones. This prevents them from doing their jobs, obstructs access to accurate information, and deprives citizens of reliable news—creating an environment where misinformation thrives.

More than 500 journalists have fled Sudan, seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. Meanwhile, approximately 700 journalists have been internally displaced, relocating to safer areas like Port Sudan (the temporary administrative capital) and states including River Nile, Northern, Gedaref, and Kassala.

Some displaced journalists have turned to alternative professions, starting small businesses in markets to survive. Others have launched independent news websites with limited resources, mostly relying on single-person operations for writing and publishing.

The Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate has documented cases of journalists being killed, kidnapped, forcibly detained, threatened, assaulted, and having their belongings looted amid the ongoing conflict.